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There was a hushed sense of anticipation in the media room at Everton’s training ground, one no doubt mirrored across Liverpool as Evertonians waited for updates on their phones or computers.

The handle on the door, which separates the press conference room and the players’ changing rooms, turned, he wasn’t due for another five minutes but Koeman strode in to take his place under the lights.

Very quickly, it was apparent which way this press conference was headed.

Koeman made a joke of the first question he was asked, not of Lukaku, but of his the squad’s injury situation heading into the weekend’s game.

The ones about Lukaku soon followed and what he delivered was far more serious, with that stern look in his eye and with an authority that the manager of Everton ought to carry.

He wasn’t going to circle the issue, or skirt around it, Koeman made it clear he was deeply unimpressed with Lukaku’s comments, railed against the idea the club lacked ambition and told the media, as he had told the striker, that he remained under contract for two more years.

He also refused to rule out disciplinary action.

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The Everton boss insists he is “not afraid” of Lukaku’s contract situation but delivered a fairly pointed request to the club hierarchy to bring an end to the circus and get an answer, once and for all, over the unwanted distraction that this saga has become.

Next week’s international break, Koeman confidently suggested, would provide that.

So this press conference wasn’t so much an address, or even a statement of intent, but more a forecful reminder that no-one is bigger than the club, however talented they may be.

Koeman was, in many ways, fighting back against player power, reminding them that he and the club call the shots, not them.

Ross Barkley may be sat at home tonight wondering how he got dragged into the whirlwind but Koeman was in no mood to be taking prisioners.

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Barkley, with just over a year left on his contract, was told that he must sign one or he will be sold.

Koeman was at pains to stress this wasn’t an “ultimatum” but merely sensible business practice and the same, in his eyes, goes for Lukaku who remains tied to the club for two more seasons.

And so just over 15 minutes later the cameras were turned off, Koeman moving on to conduct other interviews but doing so after ticking every box he needed to.

An emotive and combustible subject, one which has drawn all extremes of reactions this week, was handled expertly by Everton’s manager.

Farhad Moshiri had issued a short statement through Sky Sports News on Tuesday night, insisting Lukaku’s contract stand-off was “not an issue”.

But it was Koeman, though not trying to reassure anyone, who reinforced the message that everything is under control.